Family Adventure and Wellness

Spending time outside can help reduce stress and foster a deeper connection with the natural world and with one another.

Thanks to the generosity of people like you and the California Coastal Conservancy, the Explore the Coast Grant, we are seeing this happen right here in San Diego through our Get Out in Nature (GOIN) program.

GOIN is a high-impact program designed specifically for Escondido families with students in grades 3-5. It is our tangible commitment to honoring nature as an intrinsic lifeline for wellbeing, learning and adventure.

Above: Families at the top of Annie’s Canyon Trail

Your support doesn’t just fund an outdoor adventure; you are helping to create deeply memorable experiences that turn casual outings into adventures that last a lifetime.

What does a GOIN day look like? It’s pure fun, adventure, and bonding—a welcome break from the pressures of daily life. Your support ensures that parents, siblings, and students bond through shared discovery, thereby strengthening the family unit beyond the home and classroom.

 Guided activities, like exploring the natural sensory experience of the San Elijo Lagoon’s Nature Loop Trail, provide vital opportunities for physical activity. Moments of quiet reflection and nature journaling reduce stress and boost mental clarity for both adults and children.

 Together, we help turn kids into explorers! Families anticipate exciting adventures like climbing through the narrow sandstone walls of Annie’s Canyon Trail and uncovering the secrets of our coastal ecosystems during tide pool exploration.

Above: Tide pooling at Swami’s Beach Encinitas

 Adventure often means getting your hands dirty! This season, families are embracing the fun and adventure of restoration by working directly at Nature Collective’s native plant nursery, where they help restore vital plant communities around the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. This teaches valuable lessons in teamwork and environmental care.

Above: Children at our Plant Nursery

We know that for many families, barriers like cost and access can prevent them from connecting with nature. Your contribution dismantles these barriers. Every family receives a Nature Collective adventure kit and light refreshments, ensuring they have everything they need for a successful, immersive learning session.

 Thank you. Because of your commitment, GOIN is not just a program—it’s a catalyst for adventure, a foundation for family health, and a promise that the next generation of children and their families will know, love, and protect our spectacular coastal environment.